As we turn to the example of Paul, we must make mention of a fundamental difference in their experiences. While Job (our previous example) was a reluctant participant in the drama which defeated Satan, Paul embraced his part. Like Job, Paul’s life, viewed from a human perspective was a long succession of calamities. His experience testifies to a life of difficulties. “in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches”. (2 Cor. 11:23-29) Earlier in his letter he offered some reason for it. He wrote: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus”, (2 Co 4:8-10) why? “that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body”. But the overarching reason was - “For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” (2 Co 4:15) Paul acknowledged that while he remained faithful to the will of God, all that happened to him and all that he accomplished would be to the glory of the LORD.
THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE CELESTIAL
Glory is an intrinsic quality of God. It belongs to Him as light and heat belong to the sun. Unfallen angels, together with the redeemed in heaven, sing His praises and acknowledge His glory. The first words uttered by the heavenly host at the unveiling of the Savior of the world were “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) It is a sin of enormous proportions to withhold from Him a proper acknowledgement of His glory. He suffers injustice if any of His created beings do not recognize His worthiness. Satan said, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High,” (Is 14:13,14) but God declared: “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another”. (Isa. 42:8) That which is of prime importance to angels is not their relation to the inhabitants of earth, but rather their service to God. In other words, for all celestial beings, God is the centre of their world, not man. Theirs is primarily a service of worship that understands the ineffable majesty and glory of God, and which, because of the infinity of the worthiness of God, continues without ceasing forever. John states that in their worship the living creatures: “rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8) Isaiah asserts that they “cried one unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3). Their humility, suggested by the covering of their feet, is natural since they are ever before Him whose majesty and glory is transcendent. The ministry of angels to the Godhead is no small thing, and inasmuch as they ministered to Jesus, it speaks volumes as to His deity. The birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ were to the angels, stupendous realities. It is of no small consequence that, as stated by the Apostle, Christ, while here on the earth, “was seen of angels” (1 Tim. 3:16)
More Next Time
No comments:
Post a Comment